Before submitting a story for review, we suggest you
contact our editors first at geotimes@agiweb.org,
with a detailed description of the story you would like to write. Geotimes reports news and trends in the geosciences. Our readers
want concise summaries of new developments and the implications of evolving trends
in your discipline. Our goal is to publish easy-to-read features that address
current topics. We do not have room for in-depth coverage and complex details.

Try to place your research in a larger context
if possible. As you’re writing, ask yourself:

·How does my research affect or
contribute to my discipline?

·How does my research affect people’s
lives?

·What specific features of my research
would interest a geoscientist in another discipline?

·What makes my work unusual?

·What is current about my work?
How does it fit into larger changes occurring in my discipline?

One article won’t answer all of these questions;
but even answering one or two of them can place your research in a larger context.

The tone of the article should be informal,
as befits a newsmagazine. First-person narrative and personal experience, perception,
observation and anecdotes relating to your topic are welcome. Use simple, lively
language and short sentences; rather than long, formal sentences.

Try to write in active voice as much as possible.
The verbs are italicized in the following examples:

Passive voice:

The images were taken three times per
day by the satellite.

Active voice:

The satellite imaged the island three
times per day.

We will edit your work. For many mechanical
decisions such as punctuation and spelling, Geotimes follows the Associated
Press Stylebook and Webster’s New World Dictionary. For geological
usage, you may refer to the U.S. Geological Survey publication Suggestions
to Authors, 7th edition. We edit content for clarity, cohesiveness and readability.
We aim to enhance your writing, not change the content or your science.

Audience: The important idea to keep in mind while writing is
how your intended audience will receive your message. Geotimes caters
to professional and academic geoscientists and lay people who have an interest
in science. You should try to explain jargon and concepts that are specific
to your discipline, and in general try to limit use of unnecessary jargon. We
also want to reach university geoscience students (young geoscientists), so
keep them in mind as well. Feel free to contact the managing editor if you have
questions as you’re writing.

ILLUSTRATIONS

The more we have to choose from, the better your article will look. Send as
many as possible; they will be returned. Normally do not use figure callouts.
We prefer figures that can stand by themselves.

Photographs and slides: Please send color photographs when possible. We
can scan slides and photos at Geotimes, and we’ve found that scans made
from slides work best.

Digital art: We prefer digital art, as long as it meets the following
requirements:

·Has been scanned in or created
at a resolution of at least 300 dots per inch (dpi). Large photos that are 72
dpi (the usual resolution of photos posted on Web sites) can be shrunk down
to 30 percent their original size; but they have to be very large so that we
don’t end up with thumbnail-sized art.

·Saved as TIFF, JPEG or EPS files

Sending digital art: You can send your art to us on CD or direct us to an
ftp site. You may also email the files directly to the managing editor, if size
permits. Contact the managing editor for instructions.

Drawings and maps: These make good illustrations, as long as the lines
and lettering are distinct (resolutions of 1,000 to 1,200 dots per inch, or
dpi) and the background is white.

Captions: Please include caption information (describing details
of the photo such as its location or the significance of specific features)
and credit lines for all illustrations submitted.

References: If references are necessary, please work the material
into your manuscript in an informal style. For example, "In an article
published in the June 4, 1999, issue of Science, Dr. Researcher reported
that …” In general, try to limit reference usage in the main text.

Additional Reading section: We like to receive about four bibliographic references
for readers who want more information on your subject. These references will
be listed at the end of the article online.

Biography: Please provide two or three short sentences that relate
your background, research and interests. Let us know how you got into the topic
of the story.

Footnotes: Do not use footnotes.

Abbreviations and acronyms: Do not use abbreviations. Spell out state names, measurement
terms and technical terms. Use acronyms only if the first reference has been
spelled out.

Names of persons: Use full names of individuals and include professional
affiliation and country if outside the United States.

SUBMITTING ARTICLES

Please email any story queries to geotimes@agiweb.org.
If your proposal is accepted, you will correspond with the managing editor via
email.

Thanks for writing!

Freelance
Science Writer's Guidelines

If you are interested in writing a
story for Geotimes, we suggest first contacting the editors at geotimes@agiweb.org,
with a query letter, outlining your story proposal. All rates and word counts
are assigned on a case-by-case basis.